Machine tool including numerical controller with function to determine replacement time for maintenance component

• US 9,658,611 B2
• Filed: 12/02/2013
• Issued: 05/23/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 12/04/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Fanuc Corporation
• Original Assignee: Fanuc Corporation
• Inventors: Tong, Zheng
• Primary Examiner(s): Ortiz Rodriguez, Carlos
• Application Number:
  US14/094,650
• Publication Number:
  US 20140156057A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,268 Days
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 19/4065 Monitoring tool breakage, life or condition
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/37214 Detect failed machine component, machine performance degradation
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/40009 Remove and replace machine part, module
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/50185 Monitoring, detect failures, control of efficiency of machine, tool life

Abstract

A controller for a machine tool outputs an operation instruction signal to the machine tool. The machine tool transmits a signal indicating that the instructed operation is compete. The controller determines a response time of operation to be a difference in time between a point in time when the numerical controller outputs an operation instruction signal and a point in time when the numerical controller receives a signal from the machine tool. When the response time of operation exceeds a preset value, the numerical controller determines that a corresponding maintenance component needs to be replaced and informs a user of the need for replacement by means of a display unit.

Claims

1. A machine tool controlled by a numerical controller, wherein

the numerical controller has a function to determine a replacement time for a maintenance component used in a movable portion of the machine tool and outputting to the machine tool an operation instruction related to the movable portion,

an operation completion signal output unit is provided outside the machine tool and outputs, to the numerical controller, an operation completion signal indicating that the operation of the movable portion based on the operation instruction is complete,

the numerical controller includes:

a response time calculation unit that calculates, as a response time of operation, a time from a point in time when the numerical controller outputs the operation instruction until a point in time when the numerical control device receives the operation completion signal from the operation completion signal output unit;

a maintenance component replacement time determination unit that determines that a time has come to replace the maintenance component used in the movable portion when the calculated response time of operation is longer than a preset set time;

a display unit that displays a result of determination by the maintenance component replacement time determination unit; and

a counter that counts a number of operations of the maintenance component used in the movable portion of the machine tool or an operation duration clocking unit that clocks a duration of operation of the maintenance component or a duration of operation of the machine tool,

the display unit further displays, when displaying a result of determination by the maintenance component replacement time determination unit, the number or duration of operations of the maintenance component, and

the response time of operation is a sum of time needed for signal processing in the machine tool plus an actual operating time of a mechanical component of the machine tool.

2. A machine tool controlled by a numerical controller, wherein

the numerical controller has a function to determine a replacement time for a maintenance component used in a movable portion of the machine tool and outputting to the machine tool an operation instruction related to the movable portion,

the machine tool has an operation completion signal output unit that outputs, to the numerical controller, an operation completion signal indicating that the operation of the movable portion based on the operation instruction is complete,

the numerical controller includes:

a response time calculation unit that calculates, as a response time of operation, a time from a point in time when the numerical controller outputs the operation instruction until a point in time when the numerical control device receives the operation completion signal from the operation completion signal output unit;

a maintenance component replacement time determination unit that determines that a time has come to replace the maintenance component used in the movable portion when the calculated response time of operation is longer than a preset set time;

a display unit that displays a result of determination by the maintenance component replacement time determination unit; and

a counter that counts a number of operations of the maintenance component used in the movable portion of the machine tool or an operation duration clocking unit that clocks a duration of operation of the maintenance component or a duration of operation of the machine tool,

the display unit further displays, when displaying a result of determination by the maintenance component replacement time determination unit, the number or duration of operations of the maintenance component, and

the response time of operation is a sum of time needed for signal processing in the machine tool plus an actual operating time of a mechanical component of the machine tool.

3. The machine tool according to claim 2, wherein, in addition to the number or duration of operations of the component used in the movable portion of the machine tool or the duration of operations of the machine tool, the display unit displays an expected number of operations or expected duration of operations viable before a predetermined expected end of a life of the maintenance component arrives.

4. The machine tool according to claim 2, wherein, when the result of the determination by the maintenance component replacement time determination unit is displayed on the display unit, the display unit displays improvement information related to a usage method and a usage environment for the machine tool in order to allow an actual life of an component to be extended on the basis of the response time of operation.

5. The machine tool according to claim 2, wherein a set time for determination of a replacement time for the maintenance component is divided into a plurality of levels so that, during each of the time levels, a corresponding message is displayed on the display unit.

6. The machine tool according to claim 2, wherein the time needed for signal processing is constant.

7. The machine tool according to claim 6, wherein the actual operating time of the mechanical component of the machine tool gradually increases from an initial value as the mechanical component is degraded.